Riding & Training Your Horse

Do you (or your horse) need a helping hand (or seat)?

Sometimes an explanation is just not enough.
After all, not only riders have to learn things – horses have to learn them, too!

Horseback riding has a lot to do with ‘feel’.
It can be hard to recognize what is wrong and what is right, if you have never experienced how it should feel.
Or maybe your horse has never been trained to do things ‘the right way’.

In many cases it can be very helpful if the trainer can ride a students horse.
As part of a lesson, for example. And to feel what really is going on.

 

A cheaper solution

In some countries it is very normal that a trainer rides your horse on a regular base. For example, once or twice every week.

This can be a great solution for an inexperienced rider who has bought an expensive ‘schoolmaster’. Then the trainer can make sure that the horse is schooled to the correct level, and no bad habits sneak in.
Even if you have to pay the trainer – it is still a much cheaper solution than buying a new horse every year…

Or maybe you have the opposite problem – your horse is very ‘green’?
It can be very frustrating if you give the right signals, but the horse still doesn’t know what to do.
Also in that situation it’s a great idea to have your horse ridden by an experienced trainer. It will save money in the long run, and prevent a lot of problems – for you and for your horse!

 

Practical help

Maybe it can be a great solution to have your trainer step in while you are on a holiday? That way both you and your horse can get a fresh start.
Or your trainer can take over if you are sidelined with medical issues,  or just with a calendar overload!

Training does not only mean riding. Many trainers also provide practial help with things such as trailer loading or lungeing.

 

How can we give you a hand?

Here at Raaken Farm we do all of the above.
Michele Stuurman often rides her students’ horses. Sometimes as part of a lesson, sometimes instead of the student riding.
She also helps with practical training issues. From the smallest (like leading) to more complicated issues, like overly ‘hot’ or otherwise ‘unwilling’ horses.

 

Just a little note…

Some horses can be dangerous while handling, training and/or riding. There can be many reasons: pain, wrong handling, hormones, or being very sensitive.

We always try to find solutions that are best for both the rider AND the horse.
And we sincerely believe that no training will have lasting success if the horse is not seen and heard, too.

However, that does not mean we love to risk our necks just to prove how great we are!
We always try to do a very thorough evaluation of the horse. And of the owners wishes and expectations. Sometimes we then find that a horse is just better off with another trainer, or a different training method.
In such cases we will advise the owner of the horse on more suitable solutions.